Amidst the wind and snow, one entered the Wind and Snow Temple within the mountains, the scenery breathtaking.

As night deepened and the snow fell heavier, the sounds of pine and cypress branches snapping, and bamboo cracking, echoed through the air.

From beginning to end, Wei Jin did not send a flying sword missive to the Wind and Snow Temple Ancestral Hall, and as for the Wind and Snow Temple Immortal Platform, there was even less need, as Wei Jin was the sole inheritor of the Immortal Platform lineage. The old mansion buildings on the mountain only had a symbolic mountain and river restriction placed upon them, merely to prevent collapse, and with no need for external cleaning. There was no attempt to gather spiritual energy, nor any desire to collect the wind and gather water.

Even after reaching the Wind and Snow Temple territory, Wei Jin showed no intention of greeting his sect. He went straight to the mountain grave, and after offering wine at the Immortal Platform, would leave immediately, naturally having no desire to sit for a while at the Ancestral Hall.

The scenery of Wind and Snow Temple was exceptional, and the Immortal Platform was even more renowned throughout the continent as a place of outstanding beauty. The mountain was filled with ancient pines and giant cypresses, thousands of years old. Tonight, with the mountains covered in snow, several hermits were sleeping beneath the pines. They were likely cultivators from other branches of the Wind and Snow Temple, who had come to appreciate the snow, and, caught up in the moment, were unwilling to leave, so they simply began cultivating on the spot. Upon encountering Wei Jin, the unworldly scholars dressed in white under the pines did not speak, but simply rose and bowed from afar.

Wei Jin ignored them.

However, Mi Yu, a stranger to the region, smiled and waved goodbye to the divine being beneath the pines. This left the latter unsure of the identity of this extraordinary young man who was able to accompany Wei Jin into the mountains. It was well known that Wei Jin hated anyone greeting him on his way to the grave, let alone bringing friends to visit the Immortal Platform.

Wei Jin disliked discussing old Wind and Snow Temple matters, but it didn’t matter, as Mi Yu had Wei Wenlong, who was purchasing gazettes everywhere, at his side. This Spring Banner Studio accountant was a master at examining and searching secret records. He now knew more about the family trees of the Bottle Continent’s mountain clans than even the register immortal masters. So Mi Yu learned that the Wind and Snow Temple, one of the Bottle Continent’s ancestral homes of military strategists, had split into six branches. Ruan Qiong, who later established his own sect, and the Hidden Officer大人 (dà rén, honorific) were now fellow villagers, and had once belonged to the Emerald Water Pool branch, leaving behind the Long Distance Sword Forge for the Wind and Snow Temple. His relationship with his former sect was a typical case of parting ways on good terms. The Wind and Snow Temple could be considered half of the maternal home of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Ruan Qiong was the Bottle Continent’s foremost swordsmith, and had once clashed with the Great Ink Manor of the Water Symbol Dynasty over sword forging, resulting in the Wind and Snow Temple detaining that sword immortal for fifty years. He was still a prisoner.

Occasionally, Wei Wenlong would chat with Mi Yu about many rumors and gossip from Wind and Snow Temple’s Wencing Peak and Great Salamander Gully, such as the Old Ancestor of the Qin Clan of the Great Salamander Gully branch, who had traveled the world with a certain Supreme Elder of the Evergreen Palace when they were young, with much to tell, although it was a pity that they had not become a couple of immortals.

Wei Jin could not help but ask, “Is there really such a thing?”

Wei Wenlong then spoke with logic and evidence, saying which mountain and river gazettes could corroborate each other, and that every time the Evergreen Palace opened a peak or held a breakthrough ceremony, the other branches of the Wind and Snow Temple would send disciples to congratulate the Great Li. The Old Ancestor of the Qin Clan of the Great Salamander Gully would personally attend every time.

Wei Jin was speechless. He had never spoken a single word to the so-called Land Immortals of the Great Salamander Gully branch, so how would he know about these things?

It was even stranger that Wei Wenlong would flip through those stacks of mountain and river gazettes from decades or even hundreds of years ago every day without getting tired, and would even make excerpts and notes, often asserting which peaks were putting on a brave face, and had to scrape together their family fortune every time they held a banquet, and which peaks were secretly making a fortune every day, but liked to bide their time and steadily consolidate their wealth.

There were also several groups of young boys and girls from Wencing Peak carrying immortal porcelain bowls, who had been ordered by their masters to come to the Immortal Platform to select snowflakes using secret techniques and treasures, to brew Cold Crisp Wine and carve Moment Flowers. The former was used to entertain guests, while the latter could be used as gifts. This snow collecting was very particular, with many selecting cliffside ancient pine branches to place bottles and jars, and different locations for collecting snowflakes at different times of the day. Mountain immortal affairs were indeed matters of the heavens for ordinary mortals.

These children, upon seeing Wei Jin, who had a very high seniority in the Wind and Snow Temple, did not greet him, not because they were unwilling, but because they dared not.

However, everyone’s face was filled with joy, for the famous Wei Sword Immortal, Wei Ancestor, had finally returned home.

Wei Jin had previously acted as if he were high above the earth immortal beneath the pines, not taking him seriously at all. When he encountered these children of the Wind and Snow Temple, he would say something similar to each of them, roughly meaning, “Remember not to send a message to your elders. The Immortal Platform has many cliffs and precipices, and collecting snow is not easy, so be careful.”

As Wei Jin and his party walked further and further away, a snow-collecting child jumped up and shouted, “The Wei Sword Immortal spoke to me!” Soon, a child argued with him, “The Wei Ancestor spoke to me!” The sounds of children arguing accompanied the sound of the wind and snow.

Mi Yu turned to look at Wei Jin and asked with a smile, “The Wind and Snow Temple has always had a good reputation, both on and off the mountain. Why are you so resentful?”

Wei Jin had no intention of speaking. Every immortal mountain in the Grand World had its own difficulties, and while there might not be any clear matters of right and wrong, it was ultimately difficult for people to not care at all.

Mi Yu then said, “Wenlong.”

Wei Wenlong said in his heart, “The contents recorded in the Bottle Continent mountain and river gazettes have their own rules and regulations, and they don’t dare to freely discuss the family matters of large mountains like the Wind and Snow Temple. The customs and folk customs are very different from our Sword Qi Great Wall. Especially since the Wei Sword Immortal’s breakthrough was too fast, and he is the only sprout of the Immortal Platform, while the Wind and Snow Temple’s Refiners like to travel the world as wandering knights, and they stick together. This is very different from the True Martial Mountain military strategists who join the army, who may belong to different dynasties and camps. Therefore, the writing of the mountain and river gazettes only dares to record the Wind and Snow Temple cultivators’ demon slaying when they go down the mountain. As for the Wei Sword Immortal, at most it is written about him and one of the former golden boys and jade girls of the Divine Edict Sect…”

Wei Jin coughed.

Wei Wenlong immediately shut his mouth.

When they arrived at the grave, Wei Jin offered incense, then took out three pots of wine: one pot of Bamboo Sea Cave Heaven Wine from the Sword Qi Great Wall, one pot of Forget Worry Wine from the Yellow Millet Wine Shop in Upside Down Mountain, and one pot of Osmanthus Brew from Old Dragon City.

Wei Jin squatted in front of the grave, murmuring to himself, and poured three pots of wine in front of him.

Before the party left the Immortal Platform, a person arrived riding a sword on the way down the mountain. He looked like a child, and was the Old Ancestor of the Wind and Snow Temple.

Wei Jin cupped his fist in salute. The Old Ancestor did not try to persuade Wei Jin to stay on the mountain, but only spoke of some sect affairs related to Wei Jin.
The Wind and Snow Temple Patriarch finally brought up the matter of yesteryear, the sword cultivator dispute between Righteous Sun Mountain and Wind Thunder Garden, the location chosen being the peak of Immortal Ascension Platform. Back then, they hadn’t informed Wei Jin, who was wandering the martial world, a lapse in conduct on the part of Wind and Snow Temple.

Wei Jin shook his head, saying that Immortal Ascension Platform was ultimately part of the Wind and Snow Temple lineage, and there was nothing improper about it, it was only right that it should be so.

The two sides parted ways there, without any lingering or dawdling.

After the party of three left Immortal Ascension Platform, the Wind and Snow Temple Patriarch, in the form of a child, flew on his sword to the branch of an ancient pine, sheathed his longsword, and gazed into the distance, a hint of worry on his face.

The Great Salamander Stream Patriarch, Qin Clan, appeared beside him, and softly asked, “Wei Jin was able to return to the mountain alive, and his aura of sword immortality is even stronger, almost impossible to conceal. This is an auspicious omen, so why does the Patriarch seem more worried than pleased?”

The child raised his chin slightly, “Can you see the depth of those two beside Wei Jin?”

The Great Salamander Stream elder said, “The one with the ordinary appearance is a Golden Core Earth Immortal, correct?”

The child nodded.

The elder said, “As for the one who is even more handsome than Wei Jin, forgive my poor eyesight, but I can’t discern anything.”

The child said, “You were far away before. When he saw me arriving on my sword, he instantly revealed a trace of hostility. At that time, his sword intent was astonishing, but he concealed it very quickly, with a natural ease. This makes him all the more formidable.”

The elder was puzzled and said, “The Patriarch is a true Sword Immortal, not like those Yuan Ying cultivators from Righteous Sun Mountain who hide their tails. Even on our own mountain, do we need to be cautious?”

Those who can associate with Sword Immortals are hardly simple.

The child said in a deep voice, “Let’s not talk about whether he is a deeply hidden Daoist. What I truly fear is Wei Jin’s attitude after that person revealed a trace of hostility. Indifferent, normal, not stopping him. You must know that no matter how estranged Wei Jin may seem from Wind and Snow Temple on the surface, he is extremely respectful to his teachers at heart. But after that outsider displayed hostility towards my Wind and Snow Temple, isn’t Wei Jin’s reaction strange?”

The elder carefully asked, “Could it be a Sword… Immortal from that place?”

The elder then clicked his tongue in wonder, “Such a handsome Sword Immortal, unbelievable, unbelievable! That Wei Jin is really something, not letting the good fortune flow to outsiders, not even inviting his friend to sit down at my Great Salamander Stream.”

The child sighed, “Never mind, that fleeting hint of hostility seemed to be directed at my identity as a sword cultivator, not targeting the entire Wind and Snow Temple. That’s enough. Consider this matter as something you overheard.”

The elder nodded.

The child said with a chuckle, “Little Qin, I’m not concerned about that person’s identity anymore, I’m just worried about your big mouth, leaking secrets everywhere. Today, you’ll have a pleasant conversation with a wandering Sword Immortal on a snowy night, tomorrow you’ll become sworn brothers with a Sword Immortal at first sight, and the day after, that Sword Immortal will become the son-in-law of your Great Salamander Stream.”

The Great Salamander Stream Qin Clan elder looked embarrassed.

After leaving the Wind and Snow Temple mountain, the heavy snow was truly significant, covering a thousand miles in a snowy expanse.

The three of them didn’t deliberately soar high into the sky. They chose to travel in the wind and snow, Wei Jin on his sword, while Mi Yu, also a Sword Immortal, preferred a slower pace on the wind, claiming to be taking care of Brother Wei.

The world was vast, but immortals were few. Their journey was without a soul in sight.

Wei Wenlong laughed, “We’re not too far from Fallen Phoenix Mountain.”

Mi Yu said with a grin, “You’re the Fallen Phoenix Mountain ancestral hall candidate appointed by Lord Hermit, but I’m still uncertain. Remember to look after me when the time comes. Don’t turn your back on your old brothers just because you’ve become an enshrined one, ordering us around every day.”

Wei Wenlong said with a bitter face, “Sword Immortal Mi is joking.”

According to the established plan, Wei Jin would take Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong to Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Wei Wenlong would settle down there, while Mi Yu would take an intercontinental ferry to the Northern Entirety Continent’s Great Emblem Sword Sect. With Mi Yu’s realm of cultivation, and the Great Emblem Sword Sect’s connection with the Sword Qi Great Wall, the young Hermit, and the new Sect Master, Qi Jinglong, it was reasonable for Mi Yu to become a member of the Great Emblem Sword Sect’s ancestral hall.

But Mi Yu heard that Wei Jin was going to the Northern Entirety Continent to once again seek swordsmanship from Heavenly Ruler Xie Shi. He asked Wei Jin to send a message to the Great Emblem Sword Sect that he, Mi Yu, was shamelessly asking for an unlisted enshrinement. If it was difficult, they shouldn’t be forced. If they agreed, it was a favor, if they didn’t, it was their duty. He, Mi Yu, really didn’t have the face to insist on the Great Emblem Sword Sect’s agreement. His words weren’t entirely the jesting of the “embroidered pillow” Mi Yu. Mi Yu truly respected the Great Emblem Sword Sect.

Wei Jin didn’t like to affirm or deny another person’s life. Mi Yu was a genuine Jade Pure Realm cultivator. The so-called fancy appearance was only when compared to the top combatants of the Sword Qi Great Wall. Moreover, Mi Yu wasn’t a three-year-old child, so since Mi Yu insisted, Wei Jin agreed. Wei Wenlong said that Fallen Phoenix Mountain and Cloud-Draped Mountain each occupied half of Ox Horn Mountain’s ferry crossing. Besides the intercontinental ferries to the Northern Entirety Continent, there was also a far-traveling merchant Black Ink ferry, whose true ownership hadn’t been revealed to the outside world. The acting steward was Liu Chongrun, the former island master of Pearl Hairpin Island in the Scroll Lake. The woman was a princess from a destroyed great dynasty. That dynasty’s secret vault contained dragon boats and water palaces, all mountain treasures. Presumably, that Black Ink ferry was one of the dragon boats.

If Sword Immortal Wei didn’t mind delaying his journey, the three of them could take this ferry to Ox Horn Mountain. Wei Wenlong also wanted to take a closer look at the flow of people on the ferry, as well as the loading and unloading of goods along the way.

Wei Jin had no objections. Mi Yu was even more eager and excited at the time, saying he was home, home, finally finding a backer to eat and drink without worry.

The southernmost landing point of that Black Ink ferry was at the Yellow Mud Slope ferry in the north-central part of Treasure Bottle Continent. The name of the ferry had no trace of immortality, and the origin of the name was untraceable. The nearest adjacent ferry to Yellow Mud Slope was no better, named Village Makeup Ferry. Village Makeup Ferry had a female cultivator-dominated immortal mountain, Fisherman’s Song Mountain, which cultivated water magic. The female cultivators were mostly beautiful. Fisherman’s Song Mountain had already renamed Village Makeup Ferry as Green Raincoat Ferry, but all the cultivators on the mountain didn’t appreciate it, and still referred to it as Village Makeup Ferry.

Therefore, the experiences of the “Village Makeup Country Girl” female cultivators of Fisherman’s Song Mountain traveling for training, and the Heavenly Fist Sect’s immortal disciples going down the mountain for wandering, had a subtle similarity in their hearts.
Approaching the Huangni Slope Ferry, Wei Jin encountered another group of immortal masters who had been friends with the Fengxue Temple for generations. Wei Jin ignored them, but one old immortal master shouted loudly, shaking the heavens. Wei Jin had no choice but to stop his sword flight. However, the Sword Immortal Wei dismissed them with a few words.

A lone sword immortal, with no intention of establishing a sect, had no need to consider worldly affairs.

Moreover, those mountain immortal masters who were almost turned away didn’t think Wei Jin was unfriendly at all after parting ways. Instead, they felt that the Sword Immortal Wei’s demeanor was befitting of a peak cultivator. Being able to exchange a few words with the Sword Immortal Wei was enough to boast about to outsiders.

Naturally, Mi Yu would tease the Sword Immortal Wei about his wide network, great influence, and impressive prestige, and would also bring out Shao, the Sword Immortal of Chunfan Studio, for comparison.

As various mountain and water gazettes increasingly recorded Wei Jin’s return home, Wei Jin parted ways with Mi Yu and the others at the Huangni Slope Ferry. Wei Jin neither boarded the Inky Crossing Ferry nor the Pima Sect’s intercontinental ferry, heading straight for the Northern Treasury Continent and choosing to cross continents by sword flight.

Who could stop him from flying his sword, let alone engage in polite conversation?

Boarding the Inky Crossing Ferry, the fairy sisters who received guests on board were all young, and their cultivation might not be high, but their smiles were truly beautiful.

Mi Yu now felt very much like he was returning home.

Lord Yin Guan, you speak the truth.

Wei Wenlong, as always, first purchased mountain and water gazettes from the ferry, both new and old.

Once, a flock of birds flew past the ferry. Not only that, but a group of female cultivators from Yunxia Mountain, dressed in colorful clothes and riding various immortal birds, traveled alongside the ferry for over a hundred miles.

Wei Wenlong was no stranger to Yunxia Mountain. The Yungeng stones transported from that mountain to Old Dragon City and then to Upside-down Mountain were recorded extensively in the Chunfan Studio’s accounts.

Wei Wenlong then left the most ordinary cabin. It was a hardship for the Sword Immortal Mi; it was the same type of lodging as his, but it couldn’t be considered simple. Although not luxurious, it was elegant and refined. The Inky Crossing Ferry had obviously put a lot of effort into the decorations and trinkets, with delicate and careful touches everywhere, like a woman holding a silk fan, half-covering her face, standing gracefully under a tree. Not a noble lady, but a modest girl with a different kind of charm. Wei Wenlong came to the ferry’s bow, where passengers gathered, listening to onlookers talking about the Yunxia Mountain fairies’ lineages and cultivations.

Further away, Wei Wenlong saw Mi Yu leaning against the railing, talking and laughing with a female cultivator who was not from the ferry. If you didn’t know them, you would think they were a divine couple traveling down the mountain together. And that female cultivator’s charm was all on her face and waist. When she was happy talking to Mi Yu, she would reach out and gently pat him. Only her eyes didn’t like to look at people directly. When someone passed by, she would glance sideways, focusing only on their robes, jade belts, and hairpin ornaments, very precise and experienced. The reason why her eyes seemed to be only on Mi Yu now was probably because she had scanned him from head to toe first, figuring that Mi Yu was a pushover pedigree immortal worth befriending.

If the young Yin Guan were here, he would probably say, “A dog can’t change its eating habits,” scolding two people at once.

However, Wei Wenlong soon felt that it was unlikely. The young Yin Guan was very tolerant towards the world and its affairs.

What Wei Wenlong never understood was the Sword Immortal Mi. Mi Yu had very high standards for women, but he could chat with all kinds of women, and he could do it so sincerely, as if all the flirtatious words between men and women were discussing the Great Dao of cultivation.

Mi Yu saw Wei Wenlong and pointed at him, laughing to the woman, “Sister Jiaolan, that’s the elegant, well-connected, and wealthy Young Master Wei I told you about. See him? All my travel expenses for this trip depend on him. Don’t look down on Young Master Wei just because he’s young. He’s a Cave Realm immortal lord. I plan to work for Young Master Wei in the future to get a pedigree status.”

The woman followed Mi Yu’s finger and saw the wooden man, Wei Wenlong. She nodded and smiled, agreeing with a few words. After that, her words to Mi Yu were less enthusiastic, and she soon found an excuse to leave.

No matter how handsome a man’s appearance is, it can’t withstand being a half-baked waste product from a small mountain sect visiting immortals.

Wei Wenlong saw Mi Yu waving, left the crowd, and came to Mi Yu’s side.

Mi Yu leaned on the railing, waving vigorously at a Yunxia Mountain female cultivator riding a white luan-like bird. The latter covered her mouth and chuckled, whispering to her companions. Then, more and more female cultivators looked towards the Inky Crossing Ferry.

Wei Wenlong said in his heart, “Sword Immortal Mi, remember to use an alias.”

He, Wei Wenlong, was unknown, and his reputation was insignificant even in Upside-down Mountain, except within Chunfan Studio. So there was no need for it. But Mi Yu, as a sword immortal whose reputation far exceeded his strength, still needed to be careful.

Mi Yu took out the sword-nourishing gourd “Haoliang,” drinking osmanthus-flavored wine, and said, “Do you really think I’m an idiot?”

Wei Wenlong apologized, “I was being meddlesome.”

Mi Yu laughed, “What are you apologizing for? Even if you thought I was an idiot, I wouldn’t be angry, let alone when you’re being kind.”

Mi Yu patted Wei Wenlong on the shoulder. “Wenlong, don’t be so restrained around me in the future. There’s no need. It’s too distant.”

Wei Wenlong became even more restrained.

Mi Yu leaned back on the railing, saying in his heart, “Wei Wenlong, you earned the recognition of Lord Yin Guan, Yan Ming, and Nalan Caihuan in Chunfan Studio with your true abilities. So don’t look down on yourself like that. To put it another way, if you do, how should I, Mi Yu, feel?”

Wei Wenlong was a little at a loss.

Mi Yu didn’t force him. “Forget it, do whatever you want. Just be comfortable.”

Wei Wenlong asked curiously, “Sword Immortal Mi, why does Lord Yin Guan and his Falling Mountain seem to have no reputation on this journey north? Especially Lord Yin Guan, even the lists of the top ten young people selected by the Northern Treasury Continent and the Treasure Bottle Continent don’t include Lord Yin Guan. Not only that, but at every immortal ferry and among all kinds of cultivators, even when discussing Lord Yin Guan’s hometown, they only talk about Mount Bei’s Pima Mountain and Mountain Lord Wei’s night banquet. Why does it seem like the Treasure Bottle Continent has never had a person like Lord Yin Guan?”
Wei Wenlong was increasingly perplexed as he spoke, “Even if Hidden Official is only in his prime now, he was already a man in his twenties when he last visited our side. With Hidden Official’s abilities, how could Mount Bao Ping possibly be unaware of him? If I remember correctly, Hidden Official was able to pass three trials consecutively upon arriving at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, defeating prodigies like Qi Shou and Pang Yuanji. Such strength, in this tiny Mount Bao Ping, shouldn’t his reputation be comparable to Sword Immortal Wei’s back then?”

Mi Yu said, “If he doesn’t wish to be known, then he cannot be known. If he wants people to know, then they cannot *not* know.”

Wei Wenlong deeply agreed. Just look at the state of Lin Junbi from the Central Earth Divine Continent after returning home. Chunfan Studio had heard about it through the intercontinental ferry, and it was all praise. From the Confucian temples and academies to the ancestral immortal lineages of the Central Earth Divine Continent, and even the imperial court of the Shao Yuan Dynasty, Lin Junbi was enjoying a stroke of luck that aligned all the forces of heaven and earth.

However, Mi Yu added, “The real reason is that he feels he can truly act without restraint only after arriving at the Great Wall of Sword Qi, away from his homeland.”

Wei Wenlong whispered, “A hidden dragon in the abyss.”

One day, a lion will exert all its strength, even when hunting a rabbit.

Mi Yu said, “Wenlong, with this talent of yours, I guarantee you’ll thrive once you reach Fallen Mountain!”

Wei Wenlong asked, “Why does Sword Immortal Mi say this?”

Mi Yu smiled, “Hidden Official often says, ‘Treat others with sincerity,’ doesn’t he?”

Wei Wenlong nodded, “That’s reasonable.”

Mi Yu turned to look at Wei Wenlong, “Wenlong, there’s a reason why you lack romantic luck. You don’t even have ten percent of Hidden Official’s charm.”

Wei Wenlong said with shame, “That’s for sure. Hidden Official is extremely upright, empathetic, and always considers others’ perspectives. He is also self-disciplined and refined. It’s only natural that many women would be fond of him.”

Mi Yu cursed with a laugh, “Damn it, you also possess a Natal Divine Ability. What a ‘Everywhere is Fallen Mountain’ attitude.”

Wei Wenlong, the future God of Wealth of Fallen Mountain, was completely bewildered.

After the dragon boat ferry docked at Ox Horn Mountain, Mi Yu found Liu Chongrun and said with an incredibly fluent Mount Bao Ping accent and a smile, “Steward Liu, my real name isn’t worth mentioning, my Jianghu nickname is ‘No Rice Left.’ Steward Liu, I’ll soon be a registered immortal teacher of Fallen Mountain, we’ll be in contact often from now on.”

Liu Chongrun didn’t know why this person was spouting such nonsensical words, so she responded with perfunctory politeness. Passengers are guests on the boat, and when doing business, one doesn’t strike a smiling face.

If the other party were truly a registered disciple going to Fallen Mountain’s Ancestral Hall to burn incense and pay respects to the portraits, that would be one thing, but personal connections aren’t something to rush. However, Liu Chongrun couldn’t help but feel that the man before her was too handsome. Her Crayfish Back would soon be filled with young and inexperienced women, so she had to be careful. It would be a disaster if this rambling man caused any chaos, turning the disciples on Crayfish Back, who should be focusing on their cultivation, into lovesick maidens, or even worse, causing them to quarrel like shrews and jealous women. Liu Chongrun imagined she might be angered to death.

Wei Wenlong stood to the side, completely puzzled. Sword Immortal Mi had been very distant towards the female cultivators on the ferry the entire way, not attempting to flirt with any of them, and even avoiding those who initiated conversations with him.

Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong followed the local customs and walked towards Fallen Mountain.

Detouring along the main path, they passed the base of the cliffside. Mi Yu stopped, smiling and muttering, “Interesting, interesting.”

Wei Wenlong only saw a large patch of ground with obvious signs of being filled in. He looked up and asked, “Sword Immortal Mi, was this done by several pure martial artists playing around by jumping off the cliff? They must be in the Golden Body Realm, right?”

Mi Yu shook his head, “It was done by the same person, and they haven’t reached the Golden Body Realm yet.”

Wei Wenlong also shook his head, “The depths vary greatly, the differences are significant, it couldn’t be the same person. If it were the same person, the pit marks wouldn’t be so obvious after so long. It couldn’t be that they broke through consecutively in such a short period. Even Hidden Official couldn’t do that.”

Mi Yu asked, “Shall we make a bet?”

Wei Wenlong shook his head vigorously, “No bets. Those who deal with ledgers avoid gambling the most. I can’t betray Hidden Official and my master’s instructions. From now on, on this mountain, I must be meticulous in all matters, big or small, always adhering to my duty.”

Mi Yu didn’t mind.

As for why Wei Wenlong misunderstood, it was simple: his realm was insufficient.

Mi Yu’s Jade Purity Realm was, after all, still the Jade Purity Realm, not a fake one.

Arriving at Fallen Mountain’s main gate, Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong exchanged glances.

The gatekeeper was a young boy who, after hearing that they were friends of the Mountain Lord, noted down the names “Wei Wenlong” and “No Rice Left” and let them pass.

Then, as Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong had barely climbed a few steps, they spotted a small figure, no taller than a finger, rushing up the steps, sighing but moving quickly.

Wei Wenlong whispered to Sword Immortal Mi that this was a Land of Vastness Incense Doll, not something found in every wealthy household, ancestral hall or mountain temple. They were quite rare.

The little guy climbed the steps one at a time, finding it difficult, akin to traversing mountains and rivers.

But he had no choice. Even though the Chieftain wasn’t on the mountain, the rules remained. So, every time he visited Fallen Mountain, he had to obediently enter through the main gate.

He didn’t even look up as he passed the two guests. Only when he was a dozen steps above them did he turn and stand firm, placing his hands on his hips and asking, “Do you know who I am?”

Perhaps realizing he had been rude, he quickly lowered his hands, clasped them in a respectful bow, and then announced his name, saying he was the Incense Grand Duke of Dragon Province City God Pavilion, the second-in-command, and concurrently the Right Protector of Dragon-Riding Lane, he didn’t know which rank he held there, but he had a chair to sit on. He had come to Fallen Mountain today to report for duty. Then, the Incense Doll solemnly repeated his previous question.

Wei Wenlong didn’t know how to answer. He thought, “This is quite the shrewd little fellow. Could this be what Hidden Official meant by the Jianghu code for ‘visiting the mountain’?”

Mi Yu stepped up a few steps, squatted down, and said with a smile, “I’ve heard of you, how could I not? I’m a follower of Fallen Mountain’s Mountain Lord. He mentioned Dragon-Riding Lane’s Right Protector, diligent and conscientious, very responsible.”
The little incense figurine at the Dragon Province City God Pavilion was utterly shocked and filled with envy. “You actually know our Mount Fallen’s mountain master?! I haven’t even seen him in person! I’m several ranks removed from the master, Mountain Lord, of Steward Pei, who is the current Right Protector of Riding Dragon Lane and the leader of Mount Fallen. I even specifically asked Steward Pei if I could greet the Mountain Lord if I happened to meet him on the road. Steward Pei said I had to complete one hundred shifts at the mountain gate before I could even consider it.”

Like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, the little fellow rattled off a string of official titles without taking a breath.

Mi Yu smiled brightly, thinking, *This* is the unique spirit of our Mount Fallen. To hell with the Northern Entirety Continent!

Then a girl came down from the mountain after practicing her fists and stances. She didn’t even greet them, but focused on her practice as she headed toward the mountain gate.

Wei Wenlong felt that Mount Fallen was concealing secrets everywhere. No wonder it was the cultivation ground of the Hidden Official.

Those large pits made by people jumping off the cliff, the book-reading youth guarding the gate, the incense figurine climbing the stairs, the girl practicing her fists with unwavering focus…

Mi Yu reached out a hand. “Stand on my shoulder; I’ll give you a ride.”

The incense figurine shook his head. “No, that wouldn’t be sincere. Steward Pei would easily mark it down in her ledger. Master Millet is very impartial.”

The little fellow continued to climb the mountain.

Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong slowly ascended after him. Soon, two little girls ran over, one in a pink skirt and the other in black, the latter carrying a small golden carrying pole.

Wei Wenlong was somewhat impressed.

Chen Nuanshu and Zhou Mili ran down the stairs, stopping on the same step as Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong. Then Chen Nuanshu bowed and said, “Welcome, esteemed guests. Sword Immortal Wei from the Wind and Snow Temple passed by earlier and mentioned this to Mountain God Wei, so the houses on the mountain have already been cleaned up.”

Wei Bo appeared beside them, smiling gently with his thoughts. “Nuanshu, Mili, don’t worry about this; I’ll take care of entertaining the guests.”

The two little girls didn’t stand on ceremony with Mountain God Wei and took their leave.

Wei Bo said, “Sword Immortal Wei only said that two esteemed guests would be visiting, but he didn’t specify their identities. May I ask who you are?”

Mi Yu laughed. “I am Mi Yu from the Sword Qi Great Wall. And this is Wei Wenlong, a direct disciple of Shao Yunyan from the Spring Pennant Study in the Upside-Down Mountain. According to the Hidden Official’s instructions, we can become registered residents of Mount Fallen at any time.”

Regarding Mountain God Wei Bo, the young Hidden Official had said little, but his words carried great weight: “You can trust him completely.”

Therefore, Wei Wenlong followed closely behind and took out a confidential letter that could be considered a family letter, handing it to the Northern Peak Mountain God of Treasure Bottle Continent.

After Wei Bo opened the letter, it was enveloped in a hazy mist. After reading it, he put it back in the envelope, looking strangely hesitant for a moment before laughing. “Sword Immortal Mi, Chen Ping’an said in the letter that it’s highly likely you’ll shamelessly stay on Mount Fallen…”

Mi Yu knew something was amiss and was about to spout nonsense. If that didn’t work, he’d have to resort to acting like a hoodlum.

Wei Bo continued, “The letter said that if you want to stay, then stay. You can be a non-publicized nominal guardian; it’s a bit of a comedown for a great sword immortal like yourself.”

Mi Yu breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. “Mi Yu and Great Mountain God Wei have a great affinity; just climbing the mountain brought amazing news.”

Wei Bo smiled and nodded, but in truth, he was shocked. Chen Ping’an’s description of Mi Yu in the letter was simple: a sword cultivator from the Sword Qi Great Wall, at the Jade Purity Realm bottleneck, and trustworthy.

A sword immortal at the Jade Purity Realm bottleneck.

Wei Bo turned to Wei Wenlong and smiled. “Wei Wenlong, from today on, you’re the one in charge of Mount Fallen’s finances. Nuanshu will hand over all the account books to you later.”

Pausing slightly, Wei Bo added, “I have a request. Even after handing over the account books, I hope you won’t prevent Nuanshu from reviewing them in the future. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but Nuanshu has always managed all of Mount Fallen’s large and small financial matters without a single mistake. It’s just that now that the business has grown, Mount Fallen really should have someone specifically in charge of finances and bookkeeping. After all, Nuanshu has many responsibilities, and Zhu Lian and I don’t want her to be overworked. Of course, these aren’t Chen Ping’an’s words in the letter. If you feel resentment because of this, then Chen Ping’an has misjudged you, and he should blame himself when he returns to Mount Fallen.”

Wei Bo concluded, “We’re all family now, so I won’t mince words.”

Wei Wenlong laughed. “The most important thing in accounting is clarity. There’s no reason for one person to monopolize the account books and keep them hidden. Mountain God Wei, you don’t need to overthink things.”

Wei Bo smiled knowingly and nodded. “No wonder you’re someone Chen Ping’an places great expectations on. Putting everything else aside, Chen Ping’an’s vision and ability in earning and managing money are indeed excellent. Anyone he genuinely admires must be exceptional. I’ll be counting on you in the future.”

Wei Wenlong clasped his fist and nodded.

From that day on, Mi Yu and Wei Wenlong were considered to have settled down on Mount Fallen.

Wei Wenlong’s residence became Mount Fallen’s accounting office.

After handing over all the account books, Chen Nuanshu no longer managed the finances. At most, whenever money was needed, she would ask Mister Wei for approval. Each time, she would bring a piece of paper detailing the reason for each expenditure and where the money went. Furthermore, probably because she was worried that frequent visits would delay Mister Wei’s important matters, she and Zhou Mili would often pay for trivial expenses themselves, combining them on a single piece of paper to reconcile the accounts with Mister Wei.

Wei Wenlong didn’t find this annoying, but rather felt a little embarrassed. Although he hadn’t been on the mountain for many days, he knew how busy Chen Nuanshu was every day, with things to do from morning to night. Wei Wenlong could only proactively ask the little girl if she liked bookkeeping and accounting. The girl in the pink skirt nodded, looking a little shy.

Wei Wenlong divided Mount Fallen’s financial affairs into two parts: the large transactions involving Ox Horn Mountain Ferry and Ink Turnover Ferry were his responsibility, while Mount Fallen’s daily expenses remained hers. However, the little girl could learn about all the large business transactions and ask questions if she didn’t understand.

After arriving at Mount Fallen, Wei Wenlong was already Mount Fallen’s accountant.

Mi Yu, on the other hand, simply strolled around every day, with little Mili carrying her carrying pole following behind him.

Mi Yu didn’t want to talk about the matters of the Sword Qi Great Wall, but he finally understood why the Hidden Official’s wine shop sold a type of wine called Dumb Lake Wine.

It turned out it was because of this little girl.

Mi Yu didn’t find life on the mountain boring at all; it was very interesting. With Zhou Mili by his side every day, he never felt bored.
Today, Mi Yu was with Zhou Mili by the stone table on the cliff, cracking melon seeds and listening to Xiao Mili’s little stories of her adventures in the martial world, a Sword Immortal listening with great interest.

That incense figurine came to the mountain again to clock in, very diligent, running around on the stone table, tidying up the melon seed shells.

Zhu Lian, the chief steward of Luopo Mountain, was said by Wei Bo in private to have gone on a long journey.

Mi Yu understood in his heart, as for that talisman puppet in the guise of Zhu Lian, Mi Yu had seen through it long ago.

Today, Zhou Mili’s martial world stories went from Red Candle Town yesterday to Chongdan River, Yuye River, and Embroidery River, detailing which rivers had which good places to visit. She finally urged “Senior Corn” to definitely visit Chongdan River and Embroidery River, even though the water god temples there were a bit expensive. He could buy incense from the Iron Talisman River water god temple near them, which was more cost-effective. Anyway, it’s all burning incense, and there’s no taboo involved. The two water gods are quite easygoing. Mi Yu asked with a smile why the Yuye River was missing. Xiao Mili immediately frowned with her sparse eyebrows and said she had already talked about it. Hadn’t she? Senior Corn must have forgotten. That’s impossible; her brain is famously sharp and wouldn’t have missed it. In the end, seeing Senior Corn smiling without saying anything, the little girl quickly waved her hands and said there was no rush to visit the three rivers. They could go together after Pei Qian and Chen Lingjun returned from their travels and could have fun without any constraints.

That incense figurine held it in for a long time before muttering, “Go to hell with the Yuye River! That wicked woman almost…”

Zhou Mili got anxious, slapped down, arched her hand, covered the little thing, then leaned on the table, raised her palm slightly, looked at the incense figurine, frowned, and whispered as a reminder, “Don’t speak ill of people behind their backs.”

Then the little girl raised her head and laughed, covering her mouth and muttering, “Senior Corn, tomorrow I’ll check the almanac. If it’s auspicious for going out, I’ll take you to play at the Grey Mist Mountain next door. I know that place like the back of my hand!”

Mi Yu smiled without committing, only remembering the Yuye River.

Turning his head, he saw an uninvited guest.

Not completely unfamiliar, but not familiar either.

It’s said this person is shamelessly cultivating at the Sword Worship Platform now?

Whether Golden Core or Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator, unless they were beautiful women, Mi Yu wouldn’t bother to look at them twice back in the Sword Qi Great Wall.

After all, Mi Yu was criticized for the level of his swordsmanship among the Sword Immortals, and that his brother Mi Hu had such a talent-wasting, unambitious younger brother, and not even for his battle merits in slaying demons. In fact, before reaching the upper five realms, whether Mi Yu was drawing his sword on the city walls or fighting outside the city, he followed the same demon-slaying path as Nalan Caihuan and Qi Shou, a well-deserved senior.

And a Golden Core Sword Cultivator, Cui Wei, who fled from the Sword Qi Great Wall to the Vast World, what right did he have to warrant a glance from Mi Yu?

So, without waiting for Cui Wei to speak, Mi Yu said, “Get lost.”

Zhou Mili was a little flustered and whispered, “Senior Corn, don’t be like that. Senior Cui is one of us and is very nice.”

Mi Yu nodded with a smile and then turned to Cui Wei, who hadn’t said a word, and said, “Then please, you get lost.”

Zhou Mili crossed her arms, somewhat angry. Such talk wasn’t allowed on Luopo Mountain.

Mi Yu had no choice but to raise his hands and smile, “Alright, alright, Brother Cui, please sit, please sit, have some melon seeds.”

Cui Wei silently sat down and asked with his mind, “Sword Immortal Mi, my teacher, the old man…?”

Mi Yu said, “You have the face to ask, but I don’t have the face to answer.”

Cui Wei nodded, got up, and left in disappointment.

Mi Yu stood up, took down the Gourd of Nurturing Swords from his waist, stood on the cliff, and slowly drank wine.

Should he take advantage of the fact that he wasn’t yet a proper record-holding immortal master of Luopo Mountain to kill a few Jade Pure Realm cultivators who were against Luopo Mountain?

Not mentioning the power of his all-out strike, just the matter of concealing his tracks and assassinating with flying swords, Mi Yu was actually quite skilled at. Although he couldn’t compare with the Hidden Official and that Shou Chen, Mi Yu believed he wouldn’t be inferior to the average Sword Immortal.

Mi Yu looked down with a smile, only to find Zhou Mili tugging at his sleeve. She stood on tiptoes, took out a handful of melon seeds, and held them up high.

Mi Yu squatted down, took the melon seeds, and said softly with a smile, “Xiao Mili, in my hometown, many people have heard the story of the great water monster of Dumb Lake, but among these ‘many people,’ many are gone now, which is a pity. And that Senior Cui is even less capable than me, so I’m quite angry with him.”

Zhou Mili frowned hard and then nodded vigorously to show that she definitely wasn’t pretending to understand.

In the end, the little girl accompanied the Sword Immortal who called himself “Corn,” sitting together by the cliff. The little girl thought his name was very good, as it shared the character “Mi” with her name, a coincidence.

So Zhou Mili gave all the melon seeds to Mi Yu. Her little head and shoulders swayed as she smiled, “I’ll tell you a little secret, I’ve been waiting for good people to come home, like when I squat at the mountain gate, I say I’m watching Cen Yuanji train her fists in a silly way. When I stand on the railing at the top of the mountain, I say I’m chatting with the old Mountain God. And when I sit here, I say I’m watching the clouds and birds pass by my home. So Pei Qian and Sister Nuan Shu still don’t know about this.”

Mi Yu nodded, “So that’s how it is. If you hadn’t told me, I definitely wouldn’t have known.”

The little girl had some rice-grain-sized worries, “Why hasn’t he come home yet? No matter how good your hometown is, it’s not his hometown.”

Mi Yu said, “Yeah, who knows.”